Sunday, July 16, 2017

Sometimes it’s a hook, a gimmick or an irresistible
sound. Whatever that special ingredient is, it elevates a track to pop
perfection.

Here are 200 unforgettable examples of songs with
that wow! factor…

160

MACK THE KNIFE

Bobby Darin

(1959) #1

The song was first performed in 1928. Many have covered it since then, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald among them. The coolest version was a worldwide smash in 1959 for Bobby Darin. Along with winning the Grammy for Record of the Year, the single topped the American and British charts.

159

ONE

U2

(1991) #1

The touching song remains a concert staple for the Irish rock group. In Canada, the disc reached #1. It went Top 10 in America, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. The single raised funds for A.I,D.S. research.

158

BROWN EYED GIRL

Van Morrison

(1967)

Fun shoots out of the grooves of this upbeat track. It is Van Morrison at his most endearing. The single was a Top 10 hit in the U.S.A.

157

BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

Kylie Minogue

(1990)

This dance track was the result of the Australian pop star flexing her muscle. Freed from the constraints of past recordings, Kylie Minogue grasped control of her career. The single peaked at #2 in Britain and #4 in Australia.

156

HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER

The Hollies

(1969) #1

This ballad is all about supporting each other and its message touched enough music fans to send the single up the charts around the planet. After it reached #1 in the UK, the disc went Top 10 in America and Europe.

155

DON'T STOP MOVIN'

S Club 7

(2001) #1

The British group chalked up several hit singles with its bouncy and fresh pop sound. This track topped the British chart and peaked at #2 in Australia.

154

WHAT'S GOIN' ON

Marvin Gaye

(1971) #1

The uber-smooth soul vocalist re-invented himself as a social commentator with this landmark recording. In the US, the track went #1 Soul and #2 Pop.

153

BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP

The Foundations

(1968) #1

This bouncy pop song gave the British group a Top 5 hit in the UK, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

152

S.O.S.

Abba

(1975) #1

In 1975, ABBA was finally embraced by music fans all over the world. This hit featured a gloomy undertone wrapped in a cheesy production. We were all drawn like moths to a flame; sending "S.O.S." to #1 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The single peaked at #6 in Britain and #15 Stateside.

151

SUPER FREAK

Rick James

(1981) #1

Rick James' music was described as 'punk funk'. this catchy song featured Motown labelmates The Temptations on background vocals. It topped the US Dance Chart and peaked at #3 R&B. The single proved especially popular in Europe. In 1990, MC Hammer sampled the song for his rap classic "U Can't Touch This".

Hear the songs as
they are added to the playlist available on spotify:

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After presenting radio program Caffe` Latte` on JOY 94.9 FM (in Melbourne, Australia) from Sept. 1997 to July 2012, this page is now a blog. Check back here for my Top 10 current tracks of the week; the latest countdowns -at the moment it's The 200 Songs with the Best Lyrics and 200 Most Favourite Acts - this month's new addition to the Gay & Lesbian Icons & Anthems Gallery; the earlier versions of hit songs and more.
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